CSP
Chaucerian Age (1350–1400)
Political Unrest
The Chaucerian Age was full of political tension. England faced many problems with the ruling class, the Church, and the common people. Power struggles and weak leadership created disorder in the country. These events often became part of the themes in the literature of the time.
Hundred Years’ War
The Hundred Years’ War between England and France deeply influenced English society. It began in 1337 and continued throughout Chaucer’s life. Soldiers, taxes, and national pride were common subjects in the minds of people. The war shaped many ideas in literature, especially in connection to heroism and loyalty.
English Chivalry
Chivalry was a major idea during this age. Knights were expected to follow a code of honor, loyalty, and bravery. These values were often found in romantic and heroic stories. Chaucer used this idea to create both serious and humorous characters in The Canterbury Tales.
Black Death
The Black Death struck England in the mid-14th century and killed a huge part of the population. Life changed completely, and fear of death became common in people’s minds. This experience influenced religious and moral themes in literature. Writers began to question life, death, and the Church more openly.
Peasants’ Revolt
The Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 was caused by heavy taxes and poor treatment of workers. Common people demanded change and fairness. Writers started to notice the struggles of the lower class. Literature began to speak about justice, labor, and rights.
Wages of Laborers
After the Black Death, fewer workers were left alive. They began to ask for higher wages. Landowners and the government tried to stop them. This economic change is seen in the way some writers portrayed workers, especially in rural stories.
Corruption of Churches
People started to see the corruption inside the Church. Greedy priests, fake pardoners, and lazy monks became common in literature. Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales includes many such characters. Writers used their works to point out faults in religious leaders.
Language and Spirit Get a New Height
English language and thinking began to rise during this period. Writers moved from Latin and French to English. They gave new power to native words and speech. This helped English literature grow with beauty, style, and clarity.
Translation of the Bible
John Wycliffe translated the Bible into English. This made the holy text available to common people. It started a new way of thinking and helped people question Church control. It also gave more strength to English as a language of truth and religion.
Modern Test in English Literature
This age brought a fresh and modern taste to English writing. Writers began to care about real people, real settings, and honest thoughts. They no longer depended only on Latin forms or French styles. Chaucer’s writing marked a new beginning in English literature.
Romantic Love
Love became a common subject in poems and stories. Writers spoke about love between knights and ladies, or between ordinary people. This love was full of beauty, dreams, and emotions. Chaucer also explored how love could be true or false, deep or shallow.
Characterization
Writers in this age gave life to their characters. Each person had a clear voice, style, and purpose. Chaucer created people from all walks of life, such as knights, merchants, and poor workers. This made literature feel real and rich.
Rural Life in Literature
Many stories focused on life in the countryside. Farm work, seasons, village customs, and simple joys were common themes. Writers gave importance to the lives of common people. Rural England became a setting full of meaning and feeling.
Religious and Moral Theme
Religion was still very important in people’s lives. Writers used stories to teach lessons about good and evil. Morality tales helped people understand right actions. At the same time, they also warned about the false leaders in religion.
Humor in Writings
Writers in this period used humor to teach, to entertain, and to criticize. Chaucer used jokes, irony, and wordplay to show the truth. Humor made characters more real and human. It also helped to point out the flaws in society.
Important Literature and Writers
Geoffrey Chaucer was the most important writer of this age. His Canterbury Tales brought together different stories, people, and ideas in one book. Other writers like John Gower also wrote moral and social poetry. These authors laid the foundation for later English literature.
This age saw the slow rise of human thinking. People started to ask questions, express feelings, and value their language. Literature was no longer only for kings or priests—it began to speak to and for all people. The Chaucerian Age opened the door to the English Renaissance.